DVLA requirements for change to motor caravan

[voyager]

This line is very interesting .... "If a keeper is satisfied that the vehicle meets the definition of a motor caravan then it can be operated it as such regardless whether or not the DVLA have registered it as such in the ‘body type’ field."
I have not seen that stated so unequivocally before. A very useful bit of info there

Problem is, if you contest a speeding fine you may be asked to prove the vehicle meets the definition of a motor caravan and the only way to do so would be to register it as such with the DVLA.
I have previously asked the DVLA how they decide on what speed limits apply to a motor caravan as they don't have the MLW of the vehicle on record and the response was the person responsible for checking traffic speeds will make a judgement on what it looks like.

 

[Millie Master]

My last email to the DVLA's Mrs Lisa John was one which wasn't specific to an individual application, as I had phrased and worded my email in generalistic terms and yet she responded by writing "We are unable to comment on individual cases but each application is looked at by a case-by-case basis."

Patently the DVLA are not doing their job properly and no doubt if the level of applications continues at the current or similar rate then I can well see them introducing a significant charge for undertaking what they should be doing!

Phil

 

[wildebus]

Problem is, if you contest a speeding fine you may be asked to prove the vehicle meets the definition of a motor caravan and the only way to do so would be to register it as such with the DVLA.
I have previously asked the DVLA how they decide on what speed limits apply to a motor caravan as they don't have the MLW of the vehicle on record and the response was the person responsible for checking traffic speeds will make a judgement on what it looks like.

and that is where contesting comes into the picture as I have said before.
And that statement from the DVLA changes the goalposts as they saying it does NOT need to be recorded as a Motor Caravan in order to BE a Motor Caravan. I got my 4.6t Van with Side Windows MOTed as a Motor Caravan for example.
Obviously different people have different views and I am happy sticking with mine

 

[voyager]

My last email to the DVLA's Mrs Lisa John was one which wasn't specific to an individual application, as I had phrased and worded my email in generalistic terms and yet she responded by writing "We are unable to comment on individual cases but each application is looked at by a case-by-case basis."

Patently the DVLA are not doing their job properly and no doubt if the level of applications continues at the current or similar rate then I can well see them introducing a significant charge for undertaking what they should be doing!

Phil

I was concerned they might even introduce a compulsory vehicle examination at a DVLA centre with a hefty inspection charge. As you mention, there are a high number of applications each month and this would reduce the number of applications but could also improve the standard of conversions in order to reduce the risk of being refused re-classification.

 

[Garywrench]

To be honest I’d welcome an inspection before reclassification, and gladly pay for it. I did join (and quickly left!) some Facebook self build groups and saw some shockingly dangerous conversions, and on many occasions any offer of advice given by others is met with hostility. You can’t help stupid..

 

[SquirrellCook]

You can’t help stupid..

From my part of the world the polite expression is that "You can't educate Pork!"

 

[Millie Master]

I did join (and quickly left!) some Facebook self build groups and saw some shockingly dangerous conversions, and on many occasions any offer of advice given by others is met with hostility. You can’t help stupid..

Garry; that mirrors my experiences with some of the Facebook groups added to which so many of the participants are utterly foul mouthed as well. I have left most of them these days to get on digging their own holes but I am still on with 2 vehicle make specific groups who I find to be far more acceptable and understanding.
Phil

 

[RV2MAX]

Speaking as an Ex-insider and in view of the numbers being talked about , and also with recent reorganization of the agency , they dont have the facilities or staffing levels of suitable persons to carry out a physical examination . This policy change has been sent from above , as no body does anything without very specific instructions , and majority are not driven by a can do approach believe me

 

[RADDY]

Got to consider myself very fortunate in getting my 20 year old 410 Minibus into Motor Caravan 2 years ago and I do not have any Graphic Stickers anywhere - maybe it is just down to 'Luck' whom is your Case Owner at DVLA.

 

[trevskoda]

and that is where contesting comes into the picture as I have said before.
And that statement from the DVLA changes the goalposts as they saying it does NOT need to be recorded as a Motor Caravan in order to BE a Motor Caravan. I got my 4.6t Van with Side Windows MOTed as a Motor Caravan for example.
Obviously different people have different views and I am happy sticking with mine

How did you get that when its not on the log book.

 

[wildebus]

How did you get that when its not on the log book.

Get what? MOT as a Motor Home? It may be different in NI, but at least in GB, the MOT station take no notice of the V5C (don't want it, don't look at it if you have it) and MOT a vehicle as it is presented. So if it looks like a Motor Caravan, it is tested as one

 

[Greggbear67]

Sent my logbook in today for the body plan change. Also changed colour & my address at the same time. Supplied all the relevant photos & description so fingers crossed now... Any idea how long it can take?

 

[wildebus]

Sent my logbook in today for the body plan change. Also changed colour & my address at the same time. Supplied all the relevant photos & description so fingers crossed now... Any idea how long it can take?

It can take under a week (my last one was 5 days) but can be longer (my first one I had to chase up after 2 months!). Best of luck with it

 

[trevskoda]

Get what? MOT as a Motor Home? It may be different in NI, but at least in GB, the MOT station take no notice of the V5C (don't want it, don't look at it if you have it) and MOT a vehicle as it is presented. So if it looks like a Motor Caravan, it is tested as one

Gov test centres here and will only test as in log book or what comes up on there pc screen which is linked to swansey record centre,

 

[wildebus]

Gov test centres here and will only test as in log book or what comes up on there pc screen which is linked to swansey record centre,

Interesting. Very different in GB.
I would think a UK registered car could be MOTed in any MOT garage in the UK, so if in NI, nip on the ferry to get an MOT in Scotland! (I had a car with an NI plate back in the '90s and it made no difference compared to a GB plate)

 

[Bronwyn]

UK based user here.

OK so....I have been reading this thread and only half way through it all...
We converted our Mercedes transporter as per DVLA standards (literally I was obsessive) and sent all the pics in just over a month a go requesting motorhome re-classification. Since then, I have noticed on the website that it says this whole totally open-for-interpretation "must look like a motor home from the outside"....and just got the rejection letter today. When I called to ask WHEN this new stipulation about the external appearance was added (I am almost certain it was not there before, but alas do not have screen shots), and WHAT an exterior is meant to look like they told me to google image search. This literally comes up with the same make and type of car as the one I am talking about, as well as such a range of others that are all self-converted like ours. Has anyone made any progress fighting the stricter enforcement? We wasted a ton of time and money focusing on their specs so we could cut our insurance costs in half...all for nothing now :/ (though the van is pretty, at least

 

[Squiffy]

UK based user here.

OK so....I have been reading this thread and only half way through it all...
We converted our Mercedes transporter as per DVLA standards (literally I was obsessive) and sent all the pics in just over a month a go requesting motorhome re-classification. Since then, I have noticed on the website that it says this whole totally open-for-interpretation "must look like a motor home from the outside"....and just got the rejection letter today. When I called to ask WHEN this new stipulation about the external appearance was added (I am almost certain it was not there before, but alas do not have screen shots), and WHAT an exterior is meant to look like they told me to google image search. This literally comes up with the same make and type of car as the one I am talking about, as well as such a range of others that are all self-converted like ours. Has anyone made any progress fighting the stricter enforcement? We wasted a ton of time and money focusing on their specs so we could cut our insurance costs in half...all for nothing now :/ (though the van is pretty, at least

Would be interesting for others to see some photos of your conversion, so that we can see what direction the DVLA are going. Phil

 

[Bronwyn]

Happy to provide photos but in the end they said that it was the fact it had windows that meant they refused to re-classify. I.e. all about the exterior. Plus...since when don't motor homes have windows?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!

sigh

 

[Garywrench]

Think my pictures are above in this thread. Mine looks like a pro conversion from inside but outside didn’t have any stickers on it. I got a rejection letter same as yours . I had the local sign company copy (ish!) some graphics off a ‘pro’ converter and hey presto second try I have a ‘motor caravan’. I did make sure that all photos sent included shots with all the windows and roof vents open and included the toilet hatch , hookup etc.

 

[Bronwyn]

Im afraid your van is ANOTHER LEVEL of epic compared to ours (nice job on it btw). As ours is a lot smaller (we are students lol), Im not sure your tactics would work. That said, maybe its just a sign that we have to figure out how to earn more money to afford a 'real' van...
(will try find some pics to show you what I mean)...